Tarantula found in bananas

A STOWAWAY spider has been given a more suitable home after being found in a shipment of bananas.

A South American tarantula was discovered in a food store in the Horsham area.

The three-inch arachnid was handed in to a vets and RSPCA inspector Tony Woodley then took it to Drusillas, where it will now live.

It’s the second time in less than a year that the zoo near Alfriston has taken on an eight-legged escapee after a giant huntsman was re-homed after travelling from Taiwan to St Leonards in a shipping container of BMX parts.

The park’s spider expert Angela Hale said: “It is always very exciting to have a tarantula brought in by the RSPCA.

“We had the arachnid identified by Dr Stuart Longhorn of the British Tarantula Society, one of the world’s leading taxonomists and experts on South American tarantulas.

“He confirmed the tarantula was a fully-grown dwarf species known as Peruvian Green Velvet which lives in scrubland and is extremely docile.”

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RSPCA Inspector Tony Woodley added: “We were not entirely sure at first which country the spider had come from but it was in very good condition.

“I’m delighted that Drusillas could once again take the spider, which is one of the more difficult animals to find a home for.”

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Comments (8)

As its a 'Peruvian Green Velvet' spider, perhaps it comes from "PERU" !

As its a 'Peruvian Green Velvet' spider, perhaps it comes from "PERU" !Nosfaratu

As its a 'Peruvian Green Velvet' spider, perhaps it comes from "PERU" !

Score: 3

hoveguyactually says...9:10am Mon 4 Aug 14

I feel ill just looking at the photo.

I feel ill just looking at the photo.hoveguyactually

I feel ill just looking at the photo.

Score: 2

Ouseler says...9:31am Mon 4 Aug 14

" after travelling from Taiwan to St Leonards in a shipping container of BMX parts. "..........." Tony Woodley then took it to Drusillas, where it will now live. " ...From a container to a country residence...:-) Nice move Mr Spider...Just don't tell your mates ok, otherwise they'll all be at it.. :-)

" after travelling from Taiwan to St Leonards in a shipping container of BMX parts. "..........." Tony Woodley then took it to Drusillas, where it will now live. " ...From a container to a country residence...:-)
Nice move Mr Spider...Just don't tell your mates ok, otherwise they'll all be at it..
:-)Ouseler

" after travelling from Taiwan to St Leonards in a shipping container of BMX parts. "..........." Tony Woodley then took it to Drusillas, where it will now live. " ...From a container to a country residence...:-) Nice move Mr Spider...Just don't tell your mates ok, otherwise they'll all be at it.. :-)

Score: 11

Frank28 says...10:18am Mon 4 Aug 14

It was shipments from the Canary Islands that introduced the False Widow spider to England.

It was shipments from the Canary Islands that introduced the False Widow spider to England.Frank28

It was shipments from the Canary Islands that introduced the False Widow spider to England.

Score: -5

gazzamagoo says...1:17pm Mon 4 Aug 14

I'm sick of these foreign spiders coming over here, living off the system and expecting free handouts! This country is too soft!

I'm sick of these foreign spiders coming over here, living off the system and expecting free handouts! This country is too soft!gazzamagoo

I'm sick of these foreign spiders coming over here, living off the system and expecting free handouts! This country is too soft!

Score: 15

skylight says...2:01pm Mon 4 Aug 14

He is a lucky little 8 legged critter. If he had turned up in this house somebody would have made sure he did not live to see Drusilla's

He is a lucky little 8 legged critter. If he had turned up in this house somebody would have made sure he did not live to see Drusilla'sskylight

He is a lucky little 8 legged critter. If he had turned up in this house somebody would have made sure he did not live to see Drusilla's

Score: 12

FatherTed11 says...8:24pm Mon 4 Aug 14

Bloody greens.

Bloody greens.FatherTed11

Bloody greens.

Score: -1

NickBrt says...9:46pm Mon 4 Aug 14

I assume the spider isn't gay since stevo hasn't said anything.

I assume the spider isn't gay since stevo hasn't said anything.NickBrt

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